Burka Avenger promotes girl power in Pakistan

A controversial new cartoon character is lighting up television screens across Pakistan, but the Burka Avenger has piqued the interest of many people far beyond her home-country's borders.

The animated action-comedy, Pakistan's first-ever to feature a female superhero, is centered around the character of Jiya, a mild-mannered school teacher by day who transforms into a martial arts master with pens and books for weapons.

The Burka Avenger dons a special black burka while fighting crime, hence the show's tagline and theme song Don't Mess With the Lady in Black.

Burka Avenger Trailer (English)burkaavenger

The Urdu-language show premiered Sunday evening to rave reviews in Pakistan for its colourful animation, pro-education message and cross-generational appeal.

Many are proudly referring to the character as Pakistan's Wonder Woman.

Burka Avenger turned out to be better than I thought! Promotes all the right values. And not to forget, some excellent animation.Ema Anis

A female cartoon superhero called Burka Avenger in Pakistan, who uses books against the bad guys. How awesome?pic.twitter.com/9Sp2JBpUX9it's ramadhaan bro.

The Burka Avenger could offer Pakistanis a new cultural icon akin to Wonder Woman in the United States nyti.ms/13oUrujThe Female Factor

The Burka Avenger - nope, I'm not making this up and I hope it changes its corner of the world: http://bit.ly/17LDD3Z #animation #girlsCarol Tilley

"The Burka Avenger is an amazing action-comedy animated TV series that follows the adventures of the Burka Avenger and three young kids in the imaginary city of Halwapur as they fight the evil Baba Bandook and his henchmen," reads the show's website.

"The main goals of the Burka Avenger TV series are to make people laugh, to entertain and to send out positive social messages to the youth."

Burka AvengerThe Burka Avenger is an amazing action-comedy animated TV series that follows the adventures of the Burka Avenger and three young kids in...

Many are reading further into what the series is about than what producers have explicitly written, however, calling the show's main villain "Taliban-esque" for his efforts in trying closing down Jiya's school.

For this same reason, many are likening the Burka Avenger to Malala Yousafzai, who famously stood up to the Taliban last October at the age of 15 and was shot in the head for advocating girls' education.

Pakistan's 'Burka Avenger' girl superhero is fighting for the right to education huff.to/171GyTR pic.twitter.com/xRTQw63bPT #MalalaSonal Kapoor

so after Malala we have Burka Avenger in town "A cartoon character who fight taliban for girls education in Pakistan.....XulqarNain

Made in the honor of Malala Yousafzai, Burka Avenger will be fighting the bad guys (aka the Taliban).Sadia Khan

"She's fighting the all-too-real struggle for girls' education in a country that has witnessed the Taliban destroying schools and trying to kill teenage activists," wrote Matt D. Wilson at Comics Alliance.

"Of course, the Urdu-language show, which is clearly directed toward children, won't dig directly into the battle against the Taliban. The bad guys will be cartoonish bumblers -- one's a politician, another is, yes, a magician."

For all of its strong points, the show is generating some mixed feelings, specifically when it comes to the Burka Avenger's costume.

Burkas, also often spelled burqa, are commonly worn by conservative Islamic women and are seen by some as a symbol of Taliban opression.

"Is it right to take the burqa and make it look 'cool' for children, to brainwash girls into thinking that a burqa gives you power instead of taking it away from you?" asked Bina Shah in a blog post.

"The superhero's costume is such an integral part of his or her identity that it's hard to escape from the question of whether or not the burka is an appropriate choice for Pakistan's first female superhero."

A Pakistani Feminist's Thoughts on the Burka Avenger http://binashah.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-pakistani-feminists-thoughts-on-burka.htmlBina Shah

BlogSpot

Show creator and Pakistani pop star Aaron Haroon Rashid told the Associated Press that he conceived of the series as way to emphasize the importance of girls' education. When asked about his character's costume, he was adamant that it should be seen as a good thing.

"It's not a sign of oppression. She is using the burka to hide her identity like other superheroes," said Rashid. "Since she is a woman, we could have dressed her up like Catwoman or Wonder Woman, but that probably wouldn't have worked in Pakistan."

And yet, debate rages on among critics and fans.

Why couldn't she be a Dupatta Dhamaka in a shalwar kameez and dupatta, which is more in keeping with who we are? #BurkaAvengerHuma Yusuf

@humayusuf Because Burka Avenger is the hero Halwapur deserves, not the one it needs right now. #burkaknight #thedarkburqa #ohgodmakemestopSami Shah

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our submission guidelines.